Brazil's Educational Initiatives Enhance Inclusion in STEM for Marginalized Youth
Educational programs in Brazil focus on empowering marginalized youth in STEM fields.
- • Over 21,000 students certified in Pará through hands-on STEM workshops.
- • Meninas Negras na Ciência project offers empowerment for black young women.
- • Both initiatives target marginalized groups to promote access to science and technology.
- • Projects foster creativity, confidence, and provide necessary resources for participation.
Key details
Recent initiatives in Brazil are making significant strides in promoting education and inclusion in science and technology for marginalized youth, particularly focusing on black young women. The Caravana da Ciência e Tecnologia, launched in Pará, has certified over 21,000 students since 2022. This project travels to various municipalities, offering hands-on workshops in robotics, 3D printing, app development, and entrepreneurship. It emphasizes a 'learning by doing' methodology, enabling students to showcase their experiments at a Science Fair, thus boosting their confidence and creativity in scientific endeavors. As project coordinator Thays Gouveia noted, this initiative aims to provide opportunities in regions often lacking access to modern technology.
Additionally, the Meninas Negras na Ciência project by Fiocruz is now accepting applications for its third edition, which empowers young black women through a comprehensive curriculum that includes workshops, discussions, and laboratory visits. Open until October 5, this program targets 25 girls aged 15 to 19 from vulnerable neighborhoods, providing tablets and a monthly stipend to ensure participation. Since its inception in 2017, the project has already impacted over 1,000 individuals, promoting diversity in scientific fields.